Controlling a large number of fans for watercooling

viperirl

Gents,
I'm currently putting together a list of parts in order to water cool my current system in a 900D case when it arrives.
There will be a few large rads with fans in push/pull. However, the number of fans is adding up pretty fast. I've considered using a fan controller however, most of these can only control 6 fans max. I've read that using a y-splitter on each of fan cables to double up is probably not a good idea?? Has anyone done builds with large numbers of fans, specifically more fans than what the mobo can control?
Ive also looked at the Corsair Link Cooling kit with nodes which is an expensive option but would be neat and tidy.

Any suggestions?

game4it70

How many fans and what brand?

There are plenty of fan controllers that can handle 2-3 fan per channel.
I use a Lamptron fc5 and i have used 12 fans with it.

You can also use this to run fans off the PWM mobo headers.
You can daisy chain them also.
http://www.scan.ie/products/akasa-ak-cb002-4-pin-molex-to-3x4-pin-pwm-fan-%28plus1-connectoer-for-rpm-feedback-for-the-motherboard

viperirl

game4it70 wrote: »

How many fans and what brand?

About 15-20 fans. Either the Corsair SP120 or Gentle Typhoon.

game4it70 wrote: »

There are plenty of fan controllers that can handle 2-3 fan per channel.
I use a Lamptron fc5 and i have used 12 fans with it.

This is a 4 channel one so are you using splitters on each of the 4 channels? I'm assuming that the controller provides all the power required for all fans and only the controller itself needs to be connected to the power supply. I'm asking as I'm running out of outputs from the PSU for peripherals.

game4it70

viperirl wrote: »

About 15-20 fans. Either the Corsair SP120 or Gentle Typhoon.



This is a 4 channel one so are you using splitters on each of the 4 channels? I'm assuming that the controller provides all the power required for all fans and only the controller itself needs to be connected to the power supply. I'm asking as I'm running out of outputs from the PSU for peripherals.

Yes i use splitters on each channel.Yes just one 4 pin molex will power it.
Gentle Typhoons (albeit not very purdy ) are very good on rads.

The controller i use in theory should handle more fans per channel but haven't tried it.

This one might suit you better as its 30watts per channel too but has 8 channels
http://www.lamptron.com/product/controllers/fc8/#

ED E

Yeah, controllers typically take one molex in and power all the fans from that.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005C31G30?tag=intercept-kb-20

Thats got 5x 30w channels, so 3 fans per channel, maybe four, depending on how many you end up using.

A quick calculation says the SP120 uses 2.16W at full speed(will peak at more on boot), so having 4 of them on a 30W channel shouldnt be a problem. I assume with a big WC build you want slow enough RPMs anyways.

BloodBath

Bitfenix do good 3 pin to 3 x 3 pin splitter cables. They come in a few colors as well.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=bitfenix%203%20pin%20splitter

btkm8unsl0w5r4

http://www.overclock.net/t/1271039/pc-fan-power-distribution-boards

Done

nibble

I'd suggest something that does PWM rather than just varying voltage if you want to be able to run them at very low speeds. A lot of DC motors don't respond that well to voltage variance as a method of speed control - might have a relatively high minimum speed and have a fairly non linear speed-voltage response.

Also is there a reason you're doing push-pull? I remember reading something a couple of years ago where they set up a test of push-pull vs. just one of the same fan at the same speed on a radiator and the loop temperature differences were negligible to non-existent.

The fans are really expensive too, if you like them by all means go for them but good old Yate Loons have served me very well in the past. They work great on a fan controller too. And most importantly they're dirt cheap.

viperirl

nibble wrote: »

Also is there a reason you're doing push-pull?

Well I've actually been thinking about this over the last few days if it's really necessary. Obviously one reason is aesthetics, making the case look nice on the bottom rad in the case of the 900d with coloured fans etc.
On the other hand I'm thinking of fitting the 2 quad rads with high pressure fans like the Gentle Typhoons just pushing through the rads.

game4it70

viperirl wrote: »

Well I've actually been thinking about this over the last few days if it's really necessary. Obviously one reason is aesthetics, making the case look nice on the bottom rad in the case of the 900d with coloured fans etc.
On the other hand I'm thinking of fitting the 2 quad rads with high pressure fans like the Gentle Typhoons just pushing through the rads.

Push pull gains very little (1-2c only depending on the water setup)

You still can have the fans showing without push pull.Again very Little difference between push or pull.